Michael van Gerwen has traveled to Minehead looking to defend his Players Championship Finals title this weekend. Historically, it is a tournament that suits ‘Mighty Mike’ well, as he has won seven of the previous 15 editions.

Last year he won the tournament by defeating Rob Cross in the final match. Moreover, Van Gerwen also managed to throw a nine-darter during this finals.

Van Gerwen has been somewhat less productive in recent months. At the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, the European Darts Championship and the Grand Slam of Darts, the Dutchman did not manage to make it to the last four a single time.

“I could have done a lot better in the last few TV tournaments,” Van Gerwen acknowledged in conversation with the PDC website. ”You can only blame yourself, but you can’t be at your best all the time.”

However, Van Gerwen does not want to dwell too long on his disappointing results. With the World Darts Championship ahead of him, the world number three hopes to quickly get back into shape. “There is no point in looking back, because it’s not going to bring you anything more or anything less, so I’m fully focused on a really important end to the season.”